Envelop-stamping machine.



No. 878,896. ,PATENTED" FEB. 4, 1908.

0. M. HUMAN.

ENVELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY25,19 06.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mlllllll m I A witnesses v Q an ina,

NO- 878,396. 1 PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908. O. M. HUMAN.

ENVELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIO N FILED MAY 25, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

attbzwua g m vwemb'c I p u r 7:, 35395445755122 .iillllnilviiliozralla!!! irliilitl'lifriui ENVELO-P STAMPING MACHINE.

PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908. HUMAN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25,1906.

4 $HEETS-SHEET 3.

5441mm boz attozmu alapw 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 878,396. PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908. 0. M. HUMAN.

ENVBLOP STAMPING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED M\AY 25,1906.

H mm a (1: we 11 0.111 lHu/n "N0. Eh r a.

wi tmoooo near mnesia cor-Y OSCOR M. HUMAN, OF SHERMAN, TEXAS.

ENVELOP-STAMPING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

Application tiled May 25. 1906. Serial No. 318.721.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Osoon M. HUMAN, citizen of the United States, residing at Sherman, in the county of Grayson and State of TeXas, have invented a new and useful Envelop-Stamping Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in envelop stamping machines.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of envelop stamping machines, and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive one, adapted to moisten a portion of the face of the envelop and aftiX one or more stamps to the moistened surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machineoi this character adapted to receive one or more sheets of stamps, and

' affixed in proper .ot the same.

capable of severing the stamps one at a time from a sheet, and of holding and thereby controlling the severed stamp until the same is position to an envelop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine in which the upper face and the address of an envelop will be exposed to view during the entire time it is being sealed and stamped.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto a pended; it being understood that various 0 anges in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawingsz'Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelop stamping machine constructed in accordance with, this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view Fig. ,3 is an enlarged detail sectional view, illustrating the arrangement of the pawls or dogs of the escapemcnt for controlling the feeding movement of the carriage. Fig. a is an enlarged horizontal soctional view illustrating the construction of the escapement. Fig. .3 is a transverse scctional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the carriage. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 9 Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of the drawings.

said gummed Fig. 7. Figs. 9 and 10 are detail perspective views of the lower end of the incisory tube or casing. Fig. 11 is a detail vertical sectional viewof the stamp cutting and affixing mechanism, showing the plunger down.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings. i

1 designates the base or bed of the machine, which may be constructed of any suitable material, and the said base or bed is provided with an envelop receiving table 2, arranged horizontally as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of The outer edge '3 of the envelop receiving table is beveled, and a pivotally mounted moistener 4 is located adjacent to the beveled edge 3, and is movable toward and from the same for moistening the Fluced between the table and the moistening device, as clearly indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings. The moistening device consists of a horizontal casing or reservoir 5 0t substantiallysemicylindrical form, having a straight inner wall 6, and provided at the ends with horizontally disposed ivots 7, which are jour naled in suitable earings 8 of the bed or base. The pivots or pintles are located at the bottom of the casing or reservoir, con tiguous to the inner vertical wall of the same, and the bearings 8 may consist of staples, or any other suitable means, and the base or bed is provided at its outer side with a horizontal extension 9 to receive the pivotally mounted moistening device. The casing or reservoir, which is adapted to contain a jaoent the inner wall 6 with a longitudinal ummed flap of an envelop, which is intro-- wick receiving slot or opening 10. A wick 11 projects from the slot or opening 10, and is located in spaced relation with the beveled face 3 of the envelop receiving table, and when the gummcd flap oi an envelop is introduced between the wick l1- and the beveled edge 3 of the table 2, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the pivotally mounted moistener is moved inward to carry the wick into contact with the then drawn upwardly to move itiover the wick. At the same time the body of the envelop is moved forwardly and'is pressed against the table 2, which will operate to seal the letter,

between the body of the envelop and the the gummed flap being interpcsed.

I ll) table 2.. The wick will absorb suflicient 1 machine in the form of a loose roll, and the moisture for sealing the flaps. The casing is provided at one end with a filling opening, andit has a removable screw cap 12." The moistening device is also provided at the top with a plate 13, suitably fixed to the reservoir or casing 5, and adapted to be readily grasped by the operator for manipulating I the moistener.

An envelop after being sealed is passed under a rotary moisteni'ng device 14, consisting of a hollow drum or cylinder provided with peripheral perforations 15, and having a peri herally arranged wick 16,'forming an absor ent rim. The rotary drum or cylinder is journaled on an arm or extension 17 of an L-shaped tube 18. The tube 18, which is arranged at an inclination, is secured at its upper end by a pivot 19 to a standard or support 20, upon .whichis mounted a tank 21. The tank 21-is provided with a valved outlet 22, which is connected by a flexible I tube 23 with the upper end of the pivotally mounted pipe or tube 18. The arm 17, which constitutes an axle or spindle for the hollow drum or cylinder, is provided with perforations 24. In order to distribute the g moisture uniformly to the absorbent rim of the rotary moistening device, the hollow drum or cylinder is filled with a sponge 25, or other suitable material. the arm 17 is closed, and the hollow drum or cylinder is secured on the same by means of a nut'26, or other suitable means. The outlet 22 is provided with a suitable valve for controlling the flow of the water fromthe tank to the rotary moistening device. The tank 21 is provided with a suitable filling o ening, which is closed, after the tank is filled b means of a screw ca 27. By the partic" ar construction of t e moistening device there is no liability of the water in either'of the moistening devices spilling, in in position in which the machine may be e d I v The table 2 is provided beneath the rotary moistener with a recess or depression 28, adapted to collect any water dripping from the moistener, to prevent the same from adcumulating on the table and soiling a letter.

The rotary moistener is supported above the 32, b means of suitable fastening devices.

The rame or grating'al'so forms a sup ort for the letters, to prevent the same rom coming in contact with an The stamps, which'may consist of one or more commercial sheets, are placed upon the The outer end ofwater accumw. 'lating within the recess or epression.

the journal 480i the feed roll' 1, and

rows of stamps are fed forward by a feed roller 33 of a reciprocatory spring actuated carriage 34, which is adapted to oe fed forward a distance equal to one stamp at each operation of the machine, as hereinafter described. The carriag, which may be constructed of any suitable material, is mounted on guides 35 and 36, which may, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, consist of vertical longitudinal plates or members, having laterally extending horizontal flanges. The carriage provided with depending substantially L-shaped flanges 37 and 38, which are slidably interlocked with the laterally extending flanges, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and in practice suitable anti-friction devices may be emloyed to reduce the friction to a minimum. he carriage, which is substantially L- shaped in cross section, consists of a horizontal top portion and a depending vertical portion located atithe outer side of the top portion and fitted against the inner face of the plate or member 35.

The feed roller is journaled insuitable bearings of hinged arms or members 39 and 40 of bearing brackets 41 and 42, which are fixed to and extend upwardly from the top of the carriage. The hinged arms or members 39 and 40 are connected by a rod 43, which is engaged at an intermediate point by a spring 44, and the latter is ada ted to hold the feed roller against a lower roler 45. The upper or feed roller is adapted'to be swung. upward from the lower roller to enable the free edge of the loose roll of the stamps to be placed between the up er and lower rollers. The spring 44, w ic'h is curved, is secured at one end to the carriage at the outer edge thereof, and the other end is free and engages the rod 43 at the upper face of the same. The lower roller, 45, which is much smallerin diameter than the feed roller, is journaled in suitablebearings 46 of the carriage, and is spacedfrom the top thereof to permit it to rotate freely.

The free edge of the loose roll of stamps is placed between the'upper-and lower rollers 33 and 45, as illustrated in dotted lines at'a or holderimay'be' provided for the loose roll of stamps, as indicated at b in Fig. 5. The

and lower rollers by means of the s ring 44, which prevents any accidental displhcement or movement of the stamps, and which causes a positive feed of the same when the upper or main feed roller is rotated. When one row of'stamps is consumed, the feed stamps are firmly held between the upper roller is. rotated a s'ufiicient distance tofeedi another row of stampsgto' the tamp cutting andafiixing mechanism, by means of an oscillatory lever 47, .iulcrumed' at .one end, on

115 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and a wire basket top of the carriage by means of tachably secured at their lower ends to the an actuating pawl 49 for engaging a ratchet wheel 50, which is also mounted on the journal 48 of the feed roller, and which is rigid with the latter. The pawl 49 is pivoted at its upper end to the lever 47 and it is maintained in engagement with theratchet wheelby a spring 51. The lever is oscillated by hand, to move the actuating pawl 49backward, a su'ilicient distance for actuating the feed roller to advance the stamps a distance of one row. The lever is actuated in the .t'eeding movement of the pawl by means of a coiled spring 52, which is connected with the lever and with a projecting portion or arm 53 of the carriage. The lever, which extends upwardly from the journal 48 of the feed roller, is provided at the top with a grip or handle 54, and it has a depending arm 55, connected with the lever at an intermediate point and arranged to engage the rod 43 for limiting its movement in one direction. The movement of the lever in the opposite direction is controlled by an adjusting screw-56, mounted in a threaded opening of a projecting portion or arm 57 ot' the hinged member 39 of the adjacent bracket 41, but any other form of adjusting device may be employed, as will be readily understood. The screw 56 is adapted to be adjusted to enable the oscillatory .movement of the lever to correspond to the size of the stamps on the feed roller. Theieed roller is provided with a milled or corrugated disk 48, which is suit ably secured to the outer end of the journal 48 and which enables the feed roller to be rotated by hand for adjusting the stamps.

The carriage is provided with an escape- Inent bar 58, which is suspended from the arms 59, de-

escapementbar by means of screws, or other suitable fastening'devices, and.conn.ected at their upper ends to the carriage by a suitable hinge joint 60. The eseapement bar is provided with ten notches, or ratchet teeth, which are of a size to correspond to the stam )s of a row, so that the carriage will be fed the distance of one stamp at each operation of the machine. The escapement bar is'yieldably maintained in engagement with a dog 61 by means of a coiled spring 62,

. which bears against the depending portion of the carriage and whichieiugages a projecting stud or tlange 63 otthe escapemeut bar. The siring is adapted to force the escapement bar inwardly in the direction of the dog 61., which is mounted on the bed or base of the machine and the inward movement of the escapement bar is limited by an adj usting device, consisting of a screw 64- and an adjusting-nut 65. The screw 64 is perfo-. rated atone end, andis pivoted to the stud or projection 63 of the escapement bar, and the other end of the screw is threaded to receive the nut, which ism-ranged? to engage the outer face of the depending portion of the carriage. The vertical plate or member 35, which constitutes the outerguide for the carriage, is provided with a longitudinal opening 66 of suilicient width to receive the engaging portion of the screw, and of a length to allow the necessary longitudinal movement of the carriage. i

The pawl 61, which substantially L'- shaped, consists of a transversely disposed engaging portion and a longitudinal shank 67 which is slidablc in a slot or opening 68 oi a projecting portion 69 ot the base or bed of the machine. The shanl; 67 is provided at its upper edge with a damage 70, which is arranged within a keeper or guide 71 and which is engaged by a stop 73, consisting of a pin or projection, which extends from the upper face oi'thc portion 69 of the base or bed. A coiled spring 73, which is titted in a suitable soclet of the projecting portion 69 of the base, engages the transversely disposed engaging portion ol the dog 61 and moves the same away from the sup iorting ')()I'tiOI1 69 in a direction longitudinally of the machine, carrying the dog 61 out of alincment'with the shoulderot the crmtiguous tooth of theescapement bar, when the latter is moved outwardly by a pivoted pawl or dog 74. When the escapemcnt bar is in engagement with the stop dog 61,. the actuating spring 75 oi the carriage overcomes the force of the spring 73,, and slides the dog 61 inwardly against the adjacent end of the projecting portion 69 of the bed or base-of the machine. The

pivoted pawl or dog 74, which is actuated by the stamp cuttingandailixing mechanism, is adapted to swing the escapement bar backward out of engagement with the dog 61, and it engages the escapemei'it bar at one of the teeth thereof, so that the position of the carriage is not'changed by the swing or backward movement of the escapement liar. After the stamp has been cut and allixed to a letter, as hereinafter explained, the pivoted pawl or dog is returned to its initial position, and the escapement bar is swung inwardly into rmgagemcntwith the dog 61, which is then at the limit of its outward movement, and which contacts with the cscapement bar in rear of the engaging portion of the contiguous tooth. This permits the carriage to be fed forward the distance of one tooth by the actuating mechanism. v

'Thc carriage is actuated by a spring 75, which is housed within a suitable casing 76,

and the inner end of the spring is connected with a transverse shaft or spindle 77, which carries a drum 73. The drum, which is rotated by the spring, receives a cord 79, or other suitable flexible connection, such as a metal ribbon, or the hire. The flexible connection. is suitahl seeuredto tliedrum and to the carriage, t e backward movement of 55 stem 92, which is provided at its upper end the carriage, which is efl'ected by hand, serving-to wind up the spring.

The pawl or dog 74 is mounted at an intermediate point on a ivot or pintle rodSO, and it is composed upper and lower arms. The lower arm, which is of angular form, is provided-at the lower portion with 'a s egmental enlargement 81, for engaging the escapement bar, and it is returned to its initial position by means ofa coiled spring 82, secured to the bed or base of the machine, and connected to the'lower arm of the pawl or dogat the upper portion thereof, as clearly illustrated in Fig.- of the drawings.

' .The arm 83 of the pivoted pawl or dog 7 4 is disposed at a slight inclination a'ndis ara suitable support 86.

ranged in the path of a hollow incisory. member 84', which is rectangular in' horizontal sectionto conform to the configuration of a stamp, and which is guided in a vertical tube or casing 85. The vertical tube or casing 85, which isof rectangular form is mounted on The incisory mem beris provided at its lower edges with a substantially L-shaped cutting portion consisting'of tapering cutting teeth 86, arranged at two of the contiguous sides of the hollow incisory member, and adapted to partially sever a stamp, at the-perforations thereof, from the rest of the sheet. The carriage feeds the stamps in each row successively to the stamp cutting and aflixing mechanism,

so that it is only necessary to'cut the stamp at two sides thereof to sever the same from the sheet. The teeth 86 are spaced apart, so as to leave unseveied portions, and the. said inciso member is provided between the teeth with straight horizontal edges 87,

i which'are adapted to be engaged bv a substantially L-shaped stop 88. ,The stop 88',

which is carried by a bracket 89, is provided with a horizontally L-shaped portion, having projecting lugs 90, arranged in the path of the straight horizontal edges 87, and adapted to arrest the downward movement of the incisory member. The connecting portions of the partially severed stamp are perforated,

'so that it requires but little force to detach the stamp in the final operation of the inaehin'e. The stamp is detached by means of a stamp afii'xing plunger, which is located within the hollow incisory member. The plunger is'provided with a stem 92, which extends through an opening in the upper end 93of theincisory member, and the said.

with aknob or'head 94, receives a coiled spring 95, which is. adaptedto lift theplnnger after the stamp has been aflixed to a letter. The coiled sprin bears against the upper end 93 of the ho low incisory member, and

, 'en ages the shank of the knob or head 94..

v n order to retain complete control of. the stamp until it is properly affixed to'a letter,-

come in contact witht e table 2,- an they tubes or casings 102. are located within the grooves 103 Whe the plunger is provided withafplurality of yieldably mounted needles 96, which .nor mally project from the lower face of the plunger, and which are adapted to pierce the stamp when the plunger is moved downward by the pressure of the hand. The downward movement of the plungerseparates. the partially severed stamp frnm the sheet, and the needles prevent the severed stamp from becoming displaced, and hold the same on the lower end of the plunger, which properly afiixes the stamp to the moistened areaof the envelop. By this construction there is no liability of a stamp becoming displaced Y by the wind, or from any -other cause, and

it willbe' positively aiiixed to an enve lpp in g0 proper position.

' The needles are forced upwardly and inwardly into the plun er, when the oints are thereby readily withdrawntfrom the stamp, after the latter has'been ressed firmly against the envelop by the ep gerr The plunger is aptomatically raised by the spring 95, when relieved of the pressure of the hand, and the incisory member is moved upwardly by meansof a spring 97 connectedf at its lower end with the lower portion of the incisory member, and housed within a. tube or casing 98. The upper end of the spring 97 is suitably secured' to the upper portion of the tube or casing 98. The needles, which operate in perforations 99 of the ow'er or tion of the plunger, are provided at t eir inner ends with eyes 100, whichreeeivethe upper terminals of the coiled springs 101: 1 6 an the latter are housed within suitable The tubes. or casings plunger, and the lower ends of the springs 101 are suitably secured to the tubes 102 at 5 the lower portions thereof. The machine is adapted to be successively .o erated to afiix a. plurality of stamps to a etter, and the address ofthe latter is exposed at all times duringaboth the sealing and stamp affixing operations.

The backward movement of the carriage.

is limited by an adjustable stop consisting of a horizontalscrew' 104, which is mounted in a threaded opening of a projecting portion or arm.l05 of the bed or base of the machine. Having thus fully describedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Ina machine of the class described, the 12c combination with a moistening device, of a table providedwith a water receiving chamber'located below the surface of the table to receive the drip from the moisteningdevice and 'adapted to prevent the dr p tab e, and an chamber and'provided withopem'ngs and refrom runtable f provided witlf-a rectangular recess "forming ne'scapement bar, means or actuating the carber located below the surface of the table to receive the drip from the moistening device,

and sup ortingmeansspaced from the bottomof t e chamber and receiving the moistening device and consisting of a grating havs p g 3. In amachine of the described, the combination with a moistening device, of. a

a water receiving chamber ldcated below the surface of the table to receive the drip from the .moi'stening device, and a recthe recess and tangular support spaced from the bottom of provided with openings for the passage of water and'receiving the moisdevice. n a machine of the class described, the combination of a stam carriage having an riage-to feed the stamps, a spring actuated sto dog for engaging the escapement bar,

A riage to feedthe stamps,

gagement withthe stop. same to sai stop dog havi-nga limited movement to carry it away from the engaging portion of the contiguous tooth of the escapement bar, stamp afhxing mechanism, and means operated by the stamp aflixing mechanism for ca the escapement bar out of engagement with the stop do 5. In a machine of t he class described, the combination of a stain carriage having an escapement-bar, means or actuating the cara spring actuated sai stop dog having a'limit'ed movement to carry it away from the engaging portion of the contiguous tooth'of the escapement bar, stamp afii'xing mechanism, and a gvoted pawl or dog operated by the stamp a xing mechanism and-arranged to carry the es'capement bar out of engagement with the stop dog.

6. In a machine of the class described, the

combinationvof a stamp carriage having an vescapement bar a horizontally slidablestop dog, a spring for actuating the sto) dog, means for limiting the movement of t c said dog, stam affixing mechanism, and mean's operated y the stamp affixing mechanism for moving the escapement bar out of ens dog to'permit the be-mov'e'd for engaging the escapement bar at a'difierent point.

' ing the same in onedirection, a stop dog arranged to beengaged by the escapement bar,

stamp ailixing mechanism, and a pawl or dog 8. In a machine of t combination of a stamp carriage provided 0g, c ass described the of a 1 with amo'vable esca ement bar, an adjusting device connecte with the escapement bar and consisting of a spring for actuatin the escapement bar in one direction, an means for limiting the movement of the said bar, a stop dog engaging the escapement B111,

stamp aflixing mechanism, and a pawl or dog actuated byrthe stamp afl'ixing mechanism for carrying the escapement bar out of engagement with the sto dog.

9. In a machine of th combination of a stamp carriage, means for actuating the same, stam ailixing mechanism, a'feed roller mounte on the carria e, a ratchet wheel connected with the feed r ller, a lever providedwith means i' or en aging the ratchet wheel to rotate the feed roller, a spring for moving the lever in one direction, and an arm extending from the lever for lime class described, theiting the movement of the same in the opposite direction.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a carriage, a roller mounted thereon, bearing brackets having hinged members, a feed roller journaled on the hinged members of the brackets and ar-- ranged to hold the stamps against the said roller, and ratchet mechani'sm mounted on one of the brackets for rotating the feed roller.

11. The combination'of a carriage, a roller journaled thereon, bearing brackets mounted on the carriage. and having hin ed members, a feed roller journaled on the hinged members. of the brackets, ratchet mechanism mounted on one of the brackets for rotating the feed roller, and a spring for holdin the feed roller in frictional engagement wit the other roller.

12. In a-machine of the class described,

the combination of a carriage, a feed roller mounted thereon, a ratchet wheel connected with the feed roller, an oscillatory lever provided with an arm extending from the lever at an intermediate 1 point tor limiting its movement in one direction, a spring actuated pawl carried bi engage, the ratc et wheel, a s ring connected the lever and arranged to with the-lever for moving t e same in one direction and means for limiting the movement of the lever in the opposite direction.-

13 In a machine of the class described,

, Y the combination of a stam atfixing plunger 7'. In a machine of the class described, the combination-of a stamp carriage having a movable escapement bar, a spring for movrovided with a plurality o perforations and avin grooves communicating therewith, a plurality of'needles guided in the-perforations. casings arranged in the grooves, coiled springs housed within the casings and connected with the needles,- and a hollow in-' e plungerand movable with the same and provided with cutting teeth projecting beyond the plunger for severing the stamps.

15. In a machine of the. class described, the combination with a plunger, of a hollow incisory tube receiving the plunger and movable with the same and provided with cutting teeth, and yieldable the combination with a plunger, of a hollow incisory tube receiving the plun er and movable therewith, said incisory tu e being recthe combination of aguide, a hollow incisor tangular in cross section and provided at two of its contiguous sides With'cutting teeth.

' 17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plun er, a hollow incisory tube provided wit cutting teeth spaced apart, and a stop arranged in the l e l tube operating in the guide and provided with cuttihg teeth, a plunger operating within the incisory tube and provided with means for holdingsevered stamps, and means arranged in the path of and adapted to arrest the) downward movement of the incisory tu e. v

I 20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a hollow incisory member provided with spaced teeth arranged to partially sever a stamp, means for limiting the movement of the said member, a stamp afliXing plunger arranged to separate the partially severed stamp from the rest of the sheet, and means carried by the plunger for holding the stamp to prevent the same from becommg displaced.

, 21. In a machine of the class described, thecombination'of-a stamp carriage, an espath capement provided with an operating pawl,

of'the incisory tube and adapted to engage an incisory member arranged to engage the the samebetween theteeth.

18. Ina machine of the class described, the combination of a plunger, a hollow incisory tube provided with cutting teeth s paced'apart, and a stop provided with a plurality of lugs located in the path of the incisory tube and arranged to engage the same between the teeth.-

19. Ina machine of the class described,

I operating pawl and provided. with cutting teeth, and a stam affixin plunger operatin within the hol ow mem er. T

. n testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my. signature in the presence of two witnesses.

OSC'OR M.- HUMAN.

. Witnesses: I

Ross G. BAKER, GEORGE P. BATES, 

